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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly e-newsletter. As always, I hope you find the news and information below helpful. Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you feel may be interested.
My staff and I are available should you have any thoughts or concerns about state government. Please feel free to contact my office at SenKDaley@senate.michigan.gov or at 517-373-1777.
Sincerely,
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Kevin Daley
State Senator
26th District
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During the month of September, I was able to join with members of our community as they participated in events at the Capitol and connect with several local business owners and many hard workers across the 26th Senate District. Please enjoy some of the highlights included below:
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I had the great privilege to participate in Genesee Health System’s “Walk-A-Mile In My Shoes” event held in Lansing at our state Capitol. It was a great opportunity to join staff and clients of Lapeer’s Harmony Hall. The event’s purpose was three-fold:
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1. To enhance awareness and education on mental health services.
2. To increase support for those with psychological disabilities, mental health and substance disorders.
3. Overall promotion of personal well-being.
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Todd and Jessica Brown invited me to tour their family business, Brown’s Strawberry Farm. Keep an eye out for local produce in your nearest market!
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The Dupont Healthcare Industries Materials Site in Hemlock had me out for a tour to showcase their exceptional work to advance medical technology.
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At the end of September, I toured several remarkable Lapeer County businesses alongside Quentin Messer, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
We began with 3-Dimensional Services Group, where innovation and precision come together to create rapid manufacturing services.
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Then we visited Pentier Group, where specialties in automated manufacturing solutions will shape the future of Michigan manufacturing.
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Our next stop was at KM International, a company which produces asphalt maintenance equipment.
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Our final visit took place at Michigan Fasteners, which is one of just four nail manufacturers throughout our whole country.
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These local businesses welcomed us and told us how they contribute to our state economy. Thank you to these companies and to Quentin Messer for joining me to support businesses, like this, that make Michigan exceptional!
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Governor signs confusing new tax laws
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Despite no votes from Senate Republicans, Lansing Democrats have made sweeping changes to the way certain foods are taxed in the state of Michigan.
Public Acts 141 and 142 amend Michigan tax law to expand sales and use taxes on prepared food. The bills add definitions of the terms “food sold with eating utensils provided by the seller” and “food sold in an unheated state by weight or volume as a single item” as they relate to the definition of “prepared food” and the exemption of the sale or purchase of food or food ingredients. Under these new laws, items such as unsweetened iced tea will be taxed, but not sweet tea. Prepackaged candy is untaxed, but prepackaged chips and nuts are taxed.
These confusing and contradictory changes to Michigan tax laws lack any common sense. The rules are complicated and ultimately punish small businesses, making it difficult for mom-and-pop stores to comply.
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Invasive plants found in Michigan
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The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has confirmed two small populations of the aquatic invasive hydrilla plant in residential ponds in southwest Michigan.
The invasive hydrilla, considered one of the world's most invasive aquatic plants, was discovered during routine monitoring following treatment for another invasive plant, parrot feather. Both species are included in Michigan’s invasive species watch list.
While hydrilla can be treated with herbicide, the plant can be difficult to eradicate, making early detection very important. Michigan’s Invasive Species Program relies on reports from the public to help in early detection and response efforts.
To help identify hydrilla, look for long, slender stems floating near the water surface and check for these characteristics:
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• Pointed, bright green leaves about five-eighths of an inch long with small teeth on the edges.
• Leaves growing around the stem, generally in whorls of five, but they can range from four to eight.
• Tiny, floating white flowers visible in late summer to fall.
• Small, white to yellowish, potato-like tubers attached to the roots.
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Any suspicious aquatic plants should be reported as soon as possible to EGLE-WRD-AIP@michigan.gov. Include close-up photos and provide the location of the detection in your report. For more information about identifying or reporting invasive aquatic plants, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month
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These days, we use the internet for everything from shopping to work and school to socializing, making it more important than ever to take steps to protect ourselves and our families online.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It is the perfect time to review online safety procedures and be sure you are doing all you can to protect yourself against identity theft and other online threats. Michigan’s cybersecurity website is a great resource for Michigan residents, businesses, and students.
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Grant opportunities available for Michigan schools
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Learning to read is fundamental to every child’s education. It has been shown, time and again, that students who are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade will continue to struggle academically.
The fiscal year 2024 budget includes several early literacy grant opportunities for Michigan’s public schools to provide additional support for students struggling to learn to read.
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• $42 million is available for early literacy coaches at intermediate school districts. These coaches will assist teachers in developing and implementing literacy instructional strategies for pre-K to third grade students to help ensure they are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. These grants are intended to increase the number of literacy coaches available to Michigan students.
• $19.9 million is available to districts for additional instructional time. These grants are intended to aid districts in providing additional instructional time to pre-K to fifth grade students who have been identified as needing additional support toward reading at grade level by the end of third grade.
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The application period for both grants will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27. For applications, background information and information on other literacy grant opportunities, visit the MDE Early Literacy website.
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Report your deer harvest online
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All harvested deer must be reported within 72 hours or before transferring possession of the deer to another person, a processor or taxidermist. The easiest way to report a harvest is by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.
A successful harvest can also be reported online. Visit Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport on a computer or mobile device to go directly to the reporting page, enter the kill tag license number and date of birth to begin the report.
For more information on harvest reporting, contact a local DNR customer service center or the main Wildlife Division line at 517-284-WILD (9453) during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Celebrating a special occasion?
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My office is happy to offer legislative tributes in honor of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions.
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